OC91: Multigate spectral Doppler analysis (MSDA) to study hemodynamic parameters during IVF treatment for egg donation cycles

Objectives: In this study multigate spectral Doppler analysis, a novel ultrasound technology that overcomes the limitations related to the use of a single sample volume, has been applied to the evaluation of hypogastric (Ha) and uterine (Ut) artery flow during IVF treatment, specifically egg donor and recipient cycles. Methods: MSDA using MyLab (Esaote, Florence) was carried out at baseline, during ovulation induction and at egg retrieval in the egg donors, and at baseline and embryo transfer time in the recipients. The analysis in real time included velocity profile (VP), relative wall distension rate (rWDR) and wall shear rate (WSR) of Ha and Ut in the donors and only in Ut for the recipients. Results: A total of 10 egg donors (mean age 24.3 ± 1.8 years) and six recipients (mean age 42.6 ± 3.4 years) were found eligible for the study and successfully evaluated. Compared to conventional spectral Doppler, MSDA revealed different shapes of velocity profiles. There were no significant differences in VP, rWDR and WSR between egg donors at the time of egg retrieval and recipients at the time of embryo transfer in Ut. The rWDR was inversely related to gravity, parity and hematocrit (Hct) (P < 0.05). The WSR of both Ha and Ut were correlated with Hct and the FSH at day 3 (rs = 0.9, P < 0.05). Recipients who conceived had a lower mean WSR (R = 338.3, L = 326.6) than those who did not (R = 512.9, L = 766.3; P < 0.05). WSR of recipients was inversely correlated with positive pregnancy test (rs = −0.878, P < 0.05) bilaterally, while WSR of egg donors was not. Conclusions: This is the first study to provide basic physiological values of VP, rWDR and WSR in patients undergoing ovulation induction for IVF. The measurements in egg donors are to be considered as reference values for patients undergoing IVF since they are young and their ovarian response optimal. Likewise, given the high pregnancy rate in the recipients, the results should be considered promising but not definitive.